Guangzhou Evergrande equaled the Chinese Super League(CSL) record with 13 consecutive wins after a 3-1 victory over arch-rivals Beijing Guoan in a highly-anticipated match here on Sunday.
The two sides played out a 1-1 draw after the first half, but Evergrande staged a second-half show to silence the Beijing Workers Stadium.
Evergrande entered the Sunday’s game with 12 consecutive wins, just one step away to equal the CSL record.
Guoan missed midfielder Jonathan Viera while Talisca of Evergrande was only fit enough to make the bench.
The away side took the lead just 10 minutes into the game when full-back Liu Huan’s poor clearance went into Paulinho’s path and the Brazilian smashed in a volley at the edge of the box.
Guoan responded quickly as new signing Fernando’s missile was denied by goalkeeper Liu Dianzuo, and Zhang Yuning steered his header from the resulting corner.
Evergrande was dealt a blow before the break when Yan Dinghao limped off with injury and was replaced by veteran Zheng Zhi.
Guoan’s goalie Zou Dehai made a series of stunning saves seconds after the break while at the other end Cedric Bakambu’s wayward attempt accidentally hit the woodwork with Liu well beaten.
Evergrande restored the lead in the 51st minute when Elkeson gathered from Huang Bowen, resisting a shoulder to shoulder challenge to volley home from a tight angle. The Brazilian frog leaped Wu Lei to become the all-time top scorer of CSL.
Evergrande quickly rode the wave of momentum and seven minutes later when Elkeson’s through ball found Yang Liyu who slotted the ball into the bottom corner.
Fabio Cannavaro’s side should have made it 4-1 but Paulinho’s goal was ruled out for offside.
Evergrande extended the lead to 7 points on the table while Guoan sit second with 51.
Elkeson celebrates after scoring a goal in the Chinese Super League game between Guangzhou Evergrande and Beijing Guoan at Workers Stadium in Beijing on Aug 12, 2019. [Featured Image: IC]
